Shell or umbrella structures



Nov. 18; 1969 E. w. EH M'AN 3,478,759

SHELL OR UMBRELLA STRUCTURES Filed June 5, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I.

INVENTOR E N s w. EHRMAN Nov. 18, 1969 EHRMA" 3,478,759

SHELL OR UMBRELLA STRUCTURES Filed June 5, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 M5413 I A INVENTOR ERNEST W. EHRMAN United States Patent US. Cl. 135-20 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention has specific reference to a collapsible parasol and like shell equipment, which is principally composed of one or more sectional blades or parts which may be moved and adjusted relative to each other in a quasi illimitable or universal manner and simultaneously with respect to a common support. The equipment is so constructed that it may be readily assembled and adjusted or collapsed substantially without the use of any tool or accessory by the operator and may be easily carried or transported from place to place, if desired. The sectional blades are preferably made from a plastic material, or metal or from a substance consisting of a fabric or suitable plastic composition, which, in some instances, carries a pliable metalliziug layer or stratum, which is securely stretched across and on a collapsible frame, the parts of which are hingedly connected with each other for facilitating shipping and transporting of the blade frames.

This invention relates to devices for directing sun rays, air streams or other atmospheric medium of the aforesaid or similar type either for protection against undesirable influences on the human body, article or object or for conducting such medium toward such object, human or like body for light reflection, other action or agitation thereon. The invention deals more specifically with improvements in or relating to covering or screen devices, generally known as sunshade, umbrella or canopy-like shell devices employable for the aforesaid purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention lends itself to a variety of shelter usages and applies in particular, to structures, which are commonly designated as protecting or covering devices, which, however, are capable of fulfilling simultaneously or selectively other functions or operational ac-' tions, which become often desirable during use.

It is therefore one of the primary object of the invention to provide means enabling easy and simplified construction of a multi-sectional protective device of the indicated nature, which may be carried on or attached to a rod support, from which the sectional parts are suspended and relative to which these parts may be arranged in abutting, overlapping or opposed connection to each other either to form a roof-like shell unit extending approximately along the same or even level or, if desired, to constitute a sectional blade assemblage assuming various levels and positions on and along the aforesaid support ror at least partial admission of air fiow, sun ray reflection or similar effects on a person or object placed at predetermined location relative to the blade section assemblage.

It is another object of the invention to provide means affording a highly economical shell or roof-like multisectional structure, which necessitates only a few substantially identically constructed parts, the latter offering the possibility to protect a person against sun ray or other atmospheric effects and to expose another person to the access of light rays, air stream and the like during as-" sumed positons of both persons underneath said shell ice structure, while the sectional parts thereof are independently adjusted to predetermined operational angles to each other and relative to such persons.

Still a further object of the invention resides in the provision of means leading to a relatively strong shelter structure which withstands even adverse atmospheric influences, like rain and stormy weather, as the roof forming blade parts of the structure may be individually adjusted via universal joints to any desirable positions, which afford protection of the assembled structure against destructive forces from wind and weather conditions.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide means conducive to convenient change-over requirements in or relating to the blade assemblage, of which the protective device consists, the blade assemblage being displaceable either as a unit along a rod support or individual blades of the assemblage being singly movable along said support in superposed and spaced relation to each other to assume different angular positions to each other and relative to said support.

These and other aims and objects of the invention ensue from the following detailed description, which refers to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of an umbrella embodying the invention, the sectional blades of the umbrella being shown in full lines in one operational condition and in dotted lines in other operational conditions.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a protective device somewhat modified from that seen in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 indicates a more specific protective device shown on a somewhat enlarged scale and slightly modified with respect to the embodiment of the invention, seen in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the umbrella of FIG. 1, as seen from beneath and toward the interior of the umbrella, as illustrated in full lines, parts being shown in section.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 4 drawn on an enlarged scale and with some of the parts seen in exploded positions.

FIG. 6 is a partial side view of a link member employable in the invention.

FIG. 7 indicates in perspective and in exploded view modified holder means with respective link members.

FIG. 8 shows in side elevation a link member assembly with a holder still further modified and employable in the invention.

FIG. 9 is plan view of one of many possible blade and frame constructions according to the invention, the covering of the frame being shown in the stage of being applied to the latter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now in greater detail to the drawings there is disclosed in FIG. 1 one of many possible embodiments of the invention which is exemplified by a multi-sectional shell, or umbrella device 10. This device has a tubeshaped support 11 on which rests a roof-shaped assembly 12 which is composed, in this instance, of a plurality of polygonal or elongated sections or blades 15. The blades 15a, 15b, 150, etc. are movably held and adjustable to their positions in regard to each other and relative to said support 11 in any desirable manner, so that the blades collectively may partly overlap one another in one operative condition or may be individually and angularly directed with respect to each other in another operative condition, as indicated in full and in dotted lines in FIG. 1, respectively.

While the blades of FIG. 1 are carried on a common holder 14, which is located substantially in one and the same plane (FIG. 4) and is frictionally retained on r-od support 11, as will be later explained, the blades or sections 16 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are individually displaceable along a rod support 17, and are maintained in selected positions completely independently from each other, as described in connection with FIG. 6.

Holder 14, as more clearly depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, has a sleeve portion 14a from which project a plurality of arms 14b in star-like formation. On each arm 1412 there is attached a connecting link 18 (FIG. 4), which includes a stationary and fiat plate 19 forming the free end of each arm and a movable or rotatable plate 20 held frictionally together on each plate 19 by means of a pivot-forming screw bolt 21 and rubber gasket 21a, about which bolt plate 20 together with an anchor piece 22 and a nipple 23 may be moved, as later more clearly specified. Nipple 23 with adjustment screw device 25 is shaped and so constructed as to receive and engage a stub shaft 24 forming a projecting part of a respective blade to be connected to the holder 14 in a predetermined position, as later referred to.

As shown in FIG. 3 the individual blades or sections 16a, 16b, 160 of blade assembly 16 (FIG. 2) are each arranged (in contradistinction to the holder construction 14, shown in FIG. 4) on an individual nipple carrying collar device 26, which may be slidable along and adjustable in position to rod support 17 in a manner as set forth in connection with the showing of FIG. 6. Collar device 27 seen in FIG. employable for the adjustment along the axis of elongated support 11 consists of a slotted hollow sleeve member 28 provided with a tubular threaded extension member 29, both said member 28, 29 being slidable along rod support 11, as may be easily realized. On rod support 11 or 17, as the case may be, is movable and rotatable a hollow adjustment sleeve 30 having inner threads 31, which are adapted to engage the corresponding outer threads 32 of said extension member 29 thereby to force nipple end 33 into frictional coaction with slotted sleeve member 28 and to tighten sleeve member 28 on said rod support 11 in any desired position thereon.

Extension member 29 is further connected with the aforesaid sleeve extension 14a forming part of holder 14 from which arms 14b radially and fixedly project.

According to FIG. 6, link 18 is shown in adjusted and fixed (frictionally engaged) position on shaft 17, collar device 26, in this instance, forming only a single sleeve 140 with arm 14b, which is provided with the fixed circular-shaped plate to which movable plate 20 is connected by means of pivot screw 21, in a manner made clear in connection with FIG. 5. Anchor piece 22, carried by the movable plate 20. terminates in a locking nipple structure 25, which functions in the manner as explained and shown in connection with FIG. 5.

Reverting further to FIG. 5, the nipple structure 25 shown in exploded view, consists of the nipple proper 23 with inner threads 23a for the engagement with corresponding threads 23b on a tubular extension piece 230 which is provided with a plurality of suitable lengthy slots 34. It will thus become clear that if stub shaft 24 is inserted through nipple 23 into extension piece 230, the threaded engagement of nipple 23 with the threads 23b forces the inner conical surface 35 of nipple 23 into frictional retaining position with piece 230 so that the respective inserted stub shaft 24 of the respective individual blade 15a, 15b, etc. or 16a, 161;. etc. may be adjusted in an extended position and angular fashion as indicated in FIG. 3, as is well understood.

Adjustable pivot 21 permits further to swing each blade (e.g.. blade 160) to an inclined position (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3) and may be held therein by means of the engagement of screw bolt pivot 21 as is well apparent. The performance of the movements of the respective blade for any desired adjusted positions thereof is indicated by arrows A, B, C and D in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 shows partly in perspective a somewhat moditied holder construction 40 for retaining a predetermined number of blades or sections.

Holder 40 consists in this example, of two complementary sleeve parts 41, 42 of sufficient inner diameter to slidably engage a tubular or like support 45 indicated in phantom lines, to which support said parts may be afiixed in position by means of set screws 43, 44 or the like. Both sleeve parts have further skirt portions 46, 47. Skirt portion 46 is provided with a plurality of projecting pins 46a, while sleeve part 42 has corresponding recesses or holes 4612 into which fit said pins or prongs 46a to facilitate interconnection of said sleeve parts 41, 42 to a single holder unit 40.

The function of holder 40' is well understood.

The sleeve part 41 and skirt portion 47 are further provided with perforations 48, 49 which are so located with respect to each other that they may extend approximately at the same level, if the holder 40 is assembled.

This construction of FIG. 7 offers the possibility that link structure 50, which is similar in conformation, operation and function to connecting link 18 of FIG. 6, may be connected or joined in any predetermined number to holder 40 or to either holder part 41 or 42 by theinsertion of one or more of link structures 50' in either perforations 48 or 49 or in both types of perforations. This connection may be effectuated by screw threaded stem 51 replacing the arm 14b, sleeve 14c and holder 14 as disclosed in FIGS. 5 and 6. It is well understood that link structure 50 with nipple 52 and pivot arrangement 53 may be removably attached in any other known and suitable manner to adjustable unit assembly 40 or either unit part thereof, whereby the link structure or structures employed will afford a substantially universal movability for the blade or blades 15, 16 when coupled to such link structure. It will be noted that link structure 50 is illustrated in attached position on sleeve or unit part 41 and may be used to assemble only one half of a shell or umbrella device, whereas the other half of the latter may be omitted, if so desired. Thus one of the same umbrella device of this nature may offer complete shade against sun rays and the like for one person reclining below that part of the shell or umbrella device, whereas another person may be exposed completely to the sun or other atmospheric influence as can be readily realized.

FIG. 8 indicates partly in perspective and elevation a sleeve or like unit 60 with upper perforated portion 61 and lower locking or adjustment sleeve 62 assembled in a manner as explained with respect to parts 28-33 of collar device 27 of FIG. 5. Stem 51 of each link structure 50 may then be joined to unit 60 via any of the perforations 63 as may be well apparent. This construction offers similar advantages as explained in connection with the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 7, so that either a partial or complete shell device may be erected, e.g. as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 or 3. The embodiment of FIG. 7 admits of the further advantage that, if desired, half-shell or -umbrella devices may be attached to a upright support 45 also at different levels and in superposed or out-of-alignment positions to each other.

Reference is now made to the detailed formation of a blade member 70 employable in the present invention. Although the latter should not be restricted to such blade formation, as other blade structures may readily suggest themselves, it is believed that the blade of FIG. 9 may fulfill many purposes of the invention.

Blade 70 as illustrated on an enlarged scale in FIG. 9 consists principally of a foldable or collapsible frame 71 made from metal strip, plastic or like material and of a covering 72 produced from fabric, plastic composition and similar sheet material.

Covering 72 is afiixed to the frame 71, which may be hexagonal in shape as shown, by placing on same a similar cut piece of plastic material to which are attached at its inner face 73 and along the edge thereof a plurality of fastening flaps 74 at even distance from each other. These flaps 74 are provided with snap buttons 75 for eifectuating retention of the material 72 in stretched condition along the frame 71. Covering 72 is further equipped with an inner pocket 76, which is perforated at 77 in order to facilitate escape of air when the same should be caught underneath the covering or within pocket 76. While the left-hand half of blade 70 indicates the stretched plastic sheet portion of said blade, the right-hand half or remainder of the plastic sheet portion 72a is turned or swung away from frame 71 in order to better explain and clarify applying the material and stretching thereof by means of said flaps on said right-hand portion of the frame. Frame 71 has two opposite pivots 78, 79 in order to facilitate collapsibility of the frame when covering 72 is completely removed from frame 71. Slidable sleeve or securing element 80 may slidably engage the frame portion over pivot element 78, in order to prevent foldability of frame member halves upon each other during operation. At the smaller end edge 710 of the hexagonal blade forming frame there is arranged and affixed stub shaft 24, which projects beyond the frame for a purpose hereinabove already mentioned. This stub shaft with reinforcing plate 24a is shaped to engage locking nipple 25 of the corresponding blade holder, so that the blades may be arranged to each other in overlapping relation with their long side edges 71a or 71b as the case may be (see FIG. 4) in one assembled condition of the shell device.

In order to close the gap at the adjacent smaller end edges 710 of the assembled shell device 12, which is also shown in FIG. 4 with blade parts broken away, each blade covering includes a flap or an extension portion 70a which comes to overlie the upper end of support rod 11 and is provided for that purpose with a large enough opening 70b which facilitates engagement of the end of support rod, as is well understood. It is further evident that a separate hood-shaped piece of material with a central opening (not shown) may be placed over the top end of support rod 11 to cover the centrally disposed gap extending between the adjacent end edges of the blades, their holders and the tubular rod support, so that in this particular example of embodiment the aforementioned projecting extension portions 70a may be omitted.

Some of the coverings of the blades may be metallized, if desired, so that, as demonstrated in FIG. 2, some blades may be employed as sun ray reflectors for a person reclining or sitting at the metallized front face of a blade whereas another person may recline near the rear face of the blade in order to protect himself against sun rays and to rest within a shady area.

The invention may be useful for many applications, e.g. for canopy and like sheltering structures, and does not require that each of the blades comprise a frame and covering therefor.

It is well understood that the blades or sectional paddleshaped portions may be made from suitable plastic sheet material of various colors and, if desired, perforated to offer escape of air from underneath said blade sheet material. The blades may be fiat or curved in section and should fulfill the purpose and aim of the invention, which permits that the blades may be universally moved, namely, in upward and downward directions, swung to and fro and axially rotated or moved relative to each other to assume certain intended positions with respect to a common support.

It will be seen from the above disclosure, there has been created, according to the invention, a very compact, collapsible, useful and highly efficient shell assembly device. The blades and projections or stub shafts thereof may assume various shapes and dimensions and may be produced by simple and known manufacturing operations from any suitable stock material.

What is claimed is:

1. A multi-sectional shell, umbrella and like structure having an elongated support and sleeve-shaped holder means arranged for displacement along and for fixation on said support; characterized by a plurality of relatively short link means connected to and radially extending from said holder means, each link means including a set of plate means, each set of said plate means having one. plate fixedly attached to said holder means and another plate in contact with and rotatable relative to said fixed plate about a pivotal axis, a screw device having a longitudinal axis and constructed for axial adjustment thereto, said screw device being connected and displaceable together with said rotatable plate, so that said screw device may be swung about said pivotal axis via said rotatable plate to a position in which the longitudinal axis of said screw device may be angularly directed to the longitudinal axis of said elongated support, and a plurality of blade means each having a stub shaft for connection to said adjustable screw device for retaining said blade means in marginal contact with each other to achieve a roof-shaped formation thereof or facilitating spacing of at least some of said blade means to each other to form open channels therebetween, respectively.

2. A structure according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said link means is provided with a holder constructed and arranged engage said support in superposed position to each other.

3. A structure according to claim 1, wherein said holder comprises two complementary engageable sleeves, said sleeves being provided with interengageable means facilitating the assembly of said parts to a unitary collar, and respective connecting means on said sleeves attaching said link means thereto and for removal therefrom.

4. A structure according to claim 1, wherein said adjustable means and said holder constitute a unit, which is displaceable along said support, and means extending from said link means for engaging with one or more openings provided in said holder.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 523,795 7/1894 Kuntis 21 1-111 X 938,739 11/1909 Beetham 248-124 1,378,904 5/1924 Schuermann -377 X 1,599,616 9/1926 Hamburger 148125 1,944,601 1/1934 Gulick 287-54 2,123,695 7/1938 Elmer 211-111 X 3,283,913 11/1966 Van Horn 248161 X PETER M. CAUN, Primary Examiner 

